WASHINGTON — Congressman Ed Perlmutter[1] said today that he was cancelling his upcoming “Government in the Grocery” meeting Jan. 29 to figure out how to continue the gatherings safely in the future.

The Jefferson County Democrat has done more than 70 grocery store [2]meet and greets since 2006, but in light of last week’s shootings at a Safeway in Tucson, Perlmutter says they want to make sure they are safe for all involved going forward. Perlmutter was a personal friend of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords[3], who is recovering from her gunshot wound.

“I want to continue this program,” he said. “Government in the Grocery is about being available to listen to the hardworking people in the 7th CD in a less formal setting to talk about the issues on their mind. This kind of access is essential to the fabric of our democracy. In moving forward with our program, the safety of everyone involved must be considered.”